As we enter the lively month of May 2024, Korean drama fans are anxious for a new wave of intriguing dramas to enjoy. The Korean entertainment sector continues to attract people worldwide, thanks to its varied genres and captivating narratives. Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated Korean dramas scheduled to launch this month.
May 2024 K-drama releases take us to other worlds filled with storylines we can’t get enough of. Brimming with fantasy overtones, comedic comfort, romantic turns, tension twists, and so on, the upcoming series across numerous OTT platforms showcases a broad lineup of material that will shower you with the appropriate quantity of emotions.
1. Frankly Speaking
- Release date: May 1, 2024
- Cast : Ko Kyung Pyo, Kang Han Na, and Joo Jong Hyuk.
- Episodes: 12
- Where to watch: Wednesday-Thursday on JTBC, streaming on Netflix.
- Plot: According to Netflix’s official description of the Korean drama, “A well-respected announcer suddenly loses his ability to self-censor on air, catching the attention of a TV writer who invites him on her variety show.”
2. The Atypical Family
- Release date: May 4, 2024
- Cast: Jang Ki Yong, Chun Woo Hee, Go Doo Shim and Claudia Kim
- Episodes: 12
- Where to watch: Saturday and Sunday on JTBC; streaming on Netflix.
- Plot: According to the drama’s official description on Netflix, “Once blessed with unique superpowers, a family loses their abilities due to modern-day problems — until a mysterious woman changes everything.”
3. The Brave Yong Soo Jung
- Release date: May 6, 2024
- Cast: Uhm Hyun Kyung, Seo Jun Young, Kwon Hwa Woon and Lim Ju Eun.
- Where to watch: Monday-Friday on MBC TV
- Plot: Yong Soo Jung becomes increasingly famous as a home shopping show due to her refreshing charms. She has become an inspirational light for women and girls, and she is a professional force to be reckoned with. In her personal life, however, she has a quite different perspective. She blames her stagnant romantic life on her reluctance to approach a man boldly. Despite her initial love for Joo Woo Jin, the proud successor of the Masung Group, the entire scenario is turned upside down when she becomes engaged with Yeo Eui Joo (a guy rising from an impoverished background who is unaware of his true identity as the second grandson of the tycoon Masung).
4. Begins Youth
- Release Date: Part 2 on May 7, 2024, and Part 3 on May 14, 2024
- Cast: Seo Ji Hoon, Noh Jong Hyun, Ahn Ji Ho, Seo Young Joo, Kim Yoon Woo, Jung Woo Jin, Jeon Jin Seo
- Episodes: 4
- Where to watch: A new streaming platform by The Finger Labs that is powered by Web 3.0 technology – Xclusive.
- Plot: Based on the broken chronology of BTS’ fictional tale, which includes mediums like music videos, the Save Me webtoon, the HYYH Notes, and more, Begins Youth, a young fantasy series, will launch on April 30. It follows seven young boys as they navigate their coming-of-age chapters fraught with personal adversity, and they must band together to discover the true meaning of life.
5. The Midnight Romance at Hagwon
- Release Date: May 11, 2024
- Cast: Jung Ryeo Won and Wi Ha Joon
- Episodes: 16
- Where to watch: Saturday-Sunday on TVN, streaming on local OTT platform TVING.
- Plot: The love melodrama series depicts a real-life relationship between Seo Hye Jin, a seasoned star instructor, and Lee Jun Ho, a fresh lecturer who returns to his alma college. Returning after a decade, he tries to make things interesting by following his lingering affections for his first love, Seo Hye Jin, in a covert nocturnal romance. The show will reveal previously unknown aspects of academy professors’ personal lives and identities outside of their employment.
6. Dare to Love Me
- Release Date: May 13, 2024
- Cast: Kim Myung Soo and Lee Yoo Young
- Episodes: 16
- Where to watch: Monday-Tuesday on KBS2, streaming on Netflix.
- Plot: A polite and true relationship develops between a fine professor brimming with kindness and knowledge and a lady who yearns to be loved unconditionally.
7. Crash
- Release Date: May 13, 2024
- Cast: Lee Min Ki, Kwak Sun Young, Heo Sung Tae, Lee Ho Chul and Choi Moon Hee
- Episodes: 12
- Where to watch: ENA
- Plot: After addressing heartbreaking stories of police detectives, first responders, and other professionals, this next Korean drama will delve into the realm of traffic crime investigation. An underdog TCI squad goes out on uneven roads to tackle vehicle crimes including insurance fraud, autonomous driving, self-harm blackmail, and others. The odd three get up to fight crime, while their various peculiarities clash with one other’s personalities.
8. Uncle Samsik
- Release Date: May 15, 2024
- Cast: Song Kang Ho, Byun Yo Han, Lee Kyu Hyung, Jin Ki Joo and Seo Hyun Woo
- Episodes: 16
- Where to watch: Disney+
- Plot: The historical drama series marks the TV debut of iconic Korean actor Song Kang Ho, who has made invaluable contributions to the cinema industry over the years. Set in early 1960s South Korea, the series follows two men who find solace in their bromance despite the country’s stormy past.
9. The 8 Show
- Release Date: May 17, 2024
- Cast: Ryu Jun Yeol, Chun Woo Hee, Park Jeong Min, Lee Yeol Eum, Park Hae Joon and Lee Joo Young
- Episodes: 8
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Plot: According to Netflix’s official description of the psychological thriller series, “Eight individuals trapped in a mysterious 8-story building participate in a tempting but dangerous show where they earn money as time passes.”
10. Not Strong, But Attractive Homicide Squad / Not Very Powerful, but Attractive
- Release Date: May 22, 2024
- Cast: Kim Dong Wook, Park Ji Hwan, Seo Hyun Woo, Park Se Wan and Lee Seung Woo
- Episodes: 12
- Where to watch: Wednesday-Thursday on SBS
- Plot: Plot: This May drama is a criminal comedy series about the nation’s lowest-ranking homicide squad, which eventually sets out to become the top team by collaborating with an elite squad commander.
11. Connection
- Release Date: May 24, 2024
- Cast: Ji Sung, Jeon Mi Do, Kwon Yul, Jung Yoo Min, Kim Kyung Nam and Jung Jae Kwang
- Episodes: 16
- Where to watch: Friday-Saturday on SBS TV
- Plot: Studio S’ psychological crime series takes viewers on an unexpected, twisted trip as a 20-year-old relationship unravels only after an ace detective investigates the mystery of his friend’s death, which involves 5 billion won in insurance money.
12. Bitter Sweet Hell
- Release Date: May 24, 2024
- Cast: Kim Hee Sun and Lee Hye Young
- Episodes: 12
- Where to watch: Friday-Saturday on MBC TV
- Plot: MBC’s new black comedic thriller series focuses on the unusual duo of Noh Young Won, Korea’s top psychiatric therapist, and Hong Sa Gang, her mother-in-law. When an anonymous blackmailer threatens to destroy the former’s job and family, they create an extraordinary partnership.
13. Dreaming of Cinde Fxxxing Rella
- Release Date: May 2024 (Date Yet To Be Announced)
- Cast: Pyo Ye Jin and Lee Jun Young
- Episodes: 10
- Where to watch: TVING
- Plot: Moon Cha Min, the main character of this rom-com series, is from an affluent chaebol family and has no interest in women. His impression of them is that women are seemingly forever trapped in their impossible notions of Cinderella-like romance fantasies. Cut to his fateful encounter with Shim Jae Rim, the manager of his social club, who wants to get out of her rut and find her Prince Charming. What do you expect to happen when opposites collide?
